Money box snatched in 'mean' theft

A Dunedin woman who snatched the day's takings from a
73-year-old woman's stall during last Saturday's Thieves
Alley market has been convicted of theft.

Margaret Manu Cabral (32), unemployed, was pursued by
security staff through the crowded market after stealing a
$40 money box containing several hundred dollars, prosecutor
Sergeant Ross Hutton told the Dunedin District Court. Cabral
was eventually caught in Great King St and the money box and
its contents recovered.

Yesterday she admitted the theft and was sentenced to 50
hours' community work.

Duty lawyer Andy Belcher described the offence as
unsophisticated and unpremeditated. Cabral had expressed her
genuine remorse in a letter to the court and took full
responsibility.

''This was a pretty mean theft. Your apology recognises
that,'' Judge Alistair Garland said. He told Cabral if she
had an issue with alcohol it was up to her to do something
about it.